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Today I want to share not one LEVEL8 carry-on suitcase with you, but two! When you travel often as we do, your luggage stops being just a suitcase and becomes part of your travel routine. It’s something you’re rolling across airport floors, lifting into overhead bins, and living out of for days at a time.
A good carry-on suitcase doesn’t just hold your things. It makes travel days feel smoother, calmer, and a little less chaotic, especially when you’re moving quickly or juggling connections!
And if you have been following our travels for a while, you’ll know that we pretty much only travel with carry-on bags. We do short weekend beach getaways, but also our 2-3 week family Europe trips every summer.  I have nothing against checked bags, but for us, we love the ease of simply having one carry-on suitcase and one travel backpack each, especially when traveling by train in Europe!
Just as I love hotels, I love luggage!  So, when LEVEL8 offered to send me a couple of their most popular suitcases to try as part of this collaboration, I said sure! I’d love to try them out and give you guys a better look at these popular suitcases.
LEVEL8 provided me with these suitcases as part of this paid collaboration. Â As always, all opinions, photos, words, and experiences in this post are my own.
The two LEVEL8 carry-on suitcase styles I’m sharing here are the LEVEL8 Top Opening Expandable Carry-On and the LEVEL8 Gibraltar Aluminum Carry-On, and they each bring a slightly different energy to the travel experience. And, as I travel with these suitcases more in 2026, I will update this post with more photos and real-world feedback.
A Quick Look at LEVEL8 Luggage
Founded here in the United States in 2008, LEVEL8 has spent almost 20 years creating a name for itself. Â I am sure you have heard of this trending luggage, but is a LEVEL8 suitcase worth it?
I opened these suitcases the moment they arrived! From my first touch, after pulling off the protective dust bag, of course, I could tell that LEVEL8 is a luggage brand that clearly puts a lot of thought into how its pieces look and function. The design feels modern and intentional without being loud or overly trendy, making their suitcases easy to travel with in a wide range of settings.
What stood out to me right away is that LEVEL8 seems to focus on creating luggage that feels both elevated and usable. Their designs don’t feel like they’re trying too hard to stand out, but they do feel thoughtfully made for people who actually spend time in airports and on the move.
And I have yet to see another brand of carry-on roll as smoothly as these LEVEL8 suitcases do!
Why Carry-On Quality Matters When You Travel Often
When you’re traveling as frequently as I do, the little things about your carry-on suitcase become very noticeable. How smoothly the wheels glide across airport floors. When the handle feels sturdy as you’re moving fast through a terminal, and how easy it is to open and close your bag when you’re tired and just want to grab one thing? These details shape how stressful or easy your travel days feel!
A high-quality LEVEL8 carry-on suitcase quietly removes friction from the experience. You’re not fighting your luggage or worrying about whether something will hold up. Instead, your suitcase just does what it’s supposed to do, which frees up a surprising amount of mental energy on travel days.
Plus, it always helps when your carry-on suitcase is good-looking!
My LEVEL8 Carry-On Suitcase Review
For this review, I wanted to try two different LEVEL8 carry-on suitcase styles to see how they fit into different types of trips. One is more practical and flexible for everyday travel, while the other feels more premium and structured. Both are carry-on sized, but they serve slightly different travel moods and needs.
And, I am alternating them on several upcoming trips, including a girls’ weekend in Marco Island, Florida, a quick business trip to North Carolina, a mother/daughter trip to Norway next month, a Caribbean catamaran sailing, and even a quick five-night trip to Southern Italy!
Using both of these popular carry-on suitcases on my real trips helps me highlight how design choices change the overall feel of travel days. Â So, look forward to some extra luggage clips on these upcoming trips. Even small differences in how a bag opens, how much it holds, or how it moves through crowded spaces can change how smooth a trip feels from start to finish.
That said, let’s jump in! I can’t wait to tell you all about these popular carry-on bags!
LEVEL8 Top Opening Expandable Carry-On Suitcase
This is the first top-opening suitcase I have had, and after bringing it down to our 30A Airbnbs for a couple of days, I really appreciated how little space it took up in our studio condo!
This LEVEL8 Top Opening Expandable Carry-On weighs just 8.3lbs and at 21.6”x14.9”x9”(including wheels and handles) it easily fits into most overhead bins. Â
I am excited about this specific LEVEL8 carry-on suitcase because the carry-ons I have been using are a tad bigger. While they usually fit without issue, there have been a couple of times, especially overseas, when I was worried they would measure it and then make me check my bag because it’s slightly larger than it should be!
For some reason, this suitcase looked small at first, but I was really surprised by how easily I fit five days’ worth of outfits in there, with room to spare! This popular top-opening carry-on bag has a 35L capacity that expands to 40L, giving you 14% more space. The zipper on the side isn’t to open it; it’s just to expand it!
I also appreciate the quality. So far, the handle and zippers seem durable and smooth. The wheels glide so well on airport floors. This bag definitely feels like it can withstand frequent use, and you know that I will put it to the test!
You can purchase this specific Top Opening LEVEL8 Carry-On Suitcase at Amazon or the Adventure Carry-On through LEVEL8 directly. The second one is slightly different with the wider handle.
PROS: LEVEL8 Top Opening Carry-On
The LEVEL8 Top Opening Expandable Carry-On is the kind of suitcase you reach for when you want things to feel simple and efficient. It’s reasonably priced, and the top-opening design makes it easier to grab what you need without feeling like you’re unpacking your entire bag in the middle of a hotel room or airport lounge.
PS: If you have never showered in an airport lounge on an international layover, add that to your bucket list.  It’s so refreshing!
The exterior is a hard Polycarbonate shell, and I opted for the black version. I will update this post after some more trips and let you know how it’s holding up!
I like having the inside zippered pocket for my tablet and tech accessories, as well as the other small zippered pocket. And, the combination lock is TSA-approved.
CONS: LEVEL8 Top Opening Carry-On
This LEVEL8 carry-on suitcase is a top-opening style that isn’t for everyone.  If you want to keep your shoes or your dirty laundry bag separate from the rest of your clothes, you may be better off with a standard two-sided piece of luggage.  And LEVEL8 offers plenty of suitcases in that style.
LEVEL8 Gibraltar Aluminum Carry-On 20″ Suitcase
I feel like I am getting a nice chance to really compare two very different pieces of luggage here, because the Gibraltar Aluminum Carry-On has a noticeably different feel from the moment you start using it. And it’s no surprise that this piece is one of the best-selling (and award-winning) styles of luggage. Â
The LEVEL8 Gibraltar has an aluminum shell made of aerospace-grade aluminum-magnesium alloy. This gives it a more structured, substantial presence, and it feels like a suitcase built to handle a lot of movement and frequent use. It’s the kind of gift (or treat yourself) that feels luxury!
The overall dimensions of this LEVEL8 carry-on suitcase are 22″ x 15″ x 8.5″ (Including wheels and handles) with a 35L capacity, and it weighs 10.14 lbs.
You can purchase the LEVEL8 Gibraltar carry-on suitcases directly from their website or here on Amazon.
PROS: LEVEL8 Gibraltar Aluminum Carry-On
This is a high-quality piece of luggage that is loved by tens of thousands of frequent travelers, and I can see why!
Using it in busy airports, it felt stable and easy to maneuver, thanks to its quiet 360° spinner wheels. The interior is simple and well organized, making it easier to pack in a way that actually stays neat as you move from place to place. I really liked the clips that fasten on each side, as shown in my photo below!
Other highlights include an ergonomic rubber handle grip and an aluminum handle, rivet corner protection, and a TSA-approved double lock. And the clasps with locks are how you open and close this suitcase. There is no zipper or anything to extend. Therefore, you can be certain of its exact size on the day of travel!
The LEVEL8 Gibraltar suitcase also came with a couple of bonus items, including a 4-piece Packing Cube Travel Set valued at $49.99 and a luggage Tag valued at $29.99. Those were a nice extra!
This piece comes in silver and dark gray, which is the one I chose! Again, I will update this post after several trips and let you know how it’s holding up to my busy travel schedule!
CONS: LEVEL8 Gibraltar Aluminum Carry-On
For me, the main downside is that it is a bit heavier than most other carry-on suitcases. Lifting it into the overhead bins wasn’t really a problem, though. You just want to be aware of any carry-on luggage weight restriction especially when traveling internationally.
And, retailing at over $450, the LEVEL8 Gibraltar Carry-On suitcase is an investment piece for people who truly love and appreciate high-quality luggage. If you don’t care about what luggage you use, it would be silly to invest in such an unscale piece of luggage.  That said, I was pretty proud to be rolling that bag around the airport!
So, until I have a chance to come back and update this travel blog post with more photos and feedback as I continue to use both of these LEVEL8 luggage pieces, I want to share a bit more about why we prefer to travel with carry-on bags rather than checked bags.
Why We Only Travel With Carry-On Luggage
Over time, we’ve become pretty committed to carry-on-only travel. We don’t like to stay in one place long, so for us, it changes the entire pace of a trip. You move through airports faster, heading straight to security upon arrival, bypassing baggage claim, and don’t have that lingering worry about whether your checked bag will show up at the carousel. There’s something really freeing about knowing everything you need is with you.
Traveling this way also makes trips feel lighter and more flexible. You’re not managing as much stuff, which makes it easier to move between destinations or adjust plans without feeling weighed down by your luggage.
When we travel in Europe, we frequently move between cities, most often by train when in places like Italy and France. Â Having just one carry-on suitcase plus a backpack each makes navigating train stations much easier. Â
And, we have stayed at many rentals in Europe that don’t have elevators.  So, we are always patting ourselves on the back as we are carrying our bags up the stairs.  Yes, even on the island of Santorini in Greece!
Make sure to read my top tips for international travel!
Packing Habits That Make Carry-On Travel Easier
Carry-on travel works best when your packing habits support it. Over time, you start to recognize what you actually wear and use on trips, which makes packing feel less like a guessing game. Choosing versatile items and packing with intention makes it easier to fit everything without feeling cramped.
Once you build that rhythm, packing becomes faster and less stressful. You’re not reinventing the wheel every trip. You already know what works for you, and your suitcase becomes part of that familiar routine.
After years of using this strategy, we never feel short on luggage space and always pick a place to stay with a washer at least once on our longer trips. Â That is why I love using Booking.com to find great rentals overseas!
That said, when we visit cold-weather destinations like Suncadia in Washington State, we pack one big bag full of coats, boots, sweats, and winter gear.  We aren’t crazy!
What Makes a Carry-On Worth Buying in the First Place
A carry-on is worth buying when it actually supports the way you travel. It should move easily through airports, feel comfortable to use, and make packing feel more intuitive. When your suitcase fades into the background and just works, that’s when you know it’s doing its job.
And, I felt that when using my LEVEL8 carry-on suitcases!
Buy a LEVEL8 Carry-On Suitcase for Your Trip
Both LEVEL8 carry-on suitcase options can fit various travel styles, so choose the option that works best for your needs, knowing that theyare thoughtfully designed for real travel situations, which is what matters most once you’re actually moving through airports and cities.
LEVEL8’s sleek aesthetics and functionality have earned the company multiple awards, including Red Dot, iF, and IDEA! And these bags continue to collect top-notch reviews from both their tried-and-true fan base and people like me, who are just now getting a chance to own one of these popular suitcases!
If you value smooth travel days and a carry-on that feels polished yet practical, LEVEL8 fits the bill. These are the kind of suitcases that quietly level up your travel routine and make the overall experience feel easier from start to finish.
Make sure to check out their entire selection of high-quality luggage, including their standard-sized checked bags, backpacks, and accessories.  Just because I am crazy enough only to use carry-on bags when traveling doesn’t mean you have to! The Level8  Voyaguer collection even won a Newsweek Reader’s Choice Award!
LEVEL8 offers free and fast shipping to the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Â And, shop with confidence because LEVEL8 luggage comes with a lifetime warranty for your peace of mind!
And, the 8 in LEVEL8 stands as an infinity symbol. It encourages endless adventures and opportunities, memories and possibilities. So, cheers to your travels and the countless places that you’ll check off your bucket list!
Happy Travels,
Sarah
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